title: p,p'-DDE induces apoptosis and mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes in testes of pubertal rats.
abstract: One,1-dichloro-2,2 bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE), the major metabolite of 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT), is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. It has antiandrogenic effect. However, the mechanism by which p,p'-DDE exposure causes male reproductive toxicity remains unknown. To elucidate the mechanism underpinning the testicular effects of p,p'-DDE, we sought to investigate apoptotic effects and mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes in the testis of pubertal rats, including Fas, FasL, calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-w, Bak, and caspase-3, -8, -9, -12. Animals were administered with different doses of p,p'-DDE (0, 20, 60, 100 mg/kg body weight) every other day by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. The results indicated that p,p'-DDE exposure at over 20 mg/kg body weight showed the induction of apoptotic cell death. p,p'-DDE could induce decrease in SOD and GSH-Px activity of serum in 60 mg/kg body weight group. Significant elevations in the mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bax, Bak, and caspase-3, -8, -9, -12 were observed in testis of rat treated with p,p'-DDE. Taken together, these results lead us to speculate that in vivo exposure to p,p'-DDE might induce testicular apoptosis in pubertal rats through the involvement of Fas/FasL, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum-mediated pathways.
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic China. yuqinshi.student@sina.com
authors.forename: Yu-Qin
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Hao-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yu-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chang-Jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ke-Di
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002154:Calpain / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C491898:Fas protein, rat; C505662:Faslg protein, rat; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019014:fas Receptor; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D045304:Cytochromes c; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002154:Calpain; D020169:Caspases